Low Sweet Blueberry, Lowbush blueberry

Vaccinium angustifolium

Physical Characteristics

Vaccinium angustifolium is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

North-eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Maryland, west to Iowa and Minnesota.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Tea Fruit - raw, cooked or used in preserves etc[2, 161, 177, 183]. A very sweet pleasant flavour with a slight taste of honey[11, 43, 183]. Largely grown for the canning industry, it is considered to be the best of the lowbush type blueberries[183]. The fruit can be dried and used like raisins[62]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter[200]. This is the earliest commercially grown blueberry to ripen[235]. A tea is made from the leaves and dried fruits[101].

Medicinal Uses

Blood tonic Oxytoxic A tea made from the leaves has been used as a blood purifier and in the treatment of infant's colic[222, 257]. It has also been used to induce labour and as a tonic after a miscarriage[222, 257].

Known Hazards

None known